Use of the experimental modal analysis for analytical lifetime estimation of a bogie frame

Abstract

Abstract. The fatigue strength validation by tests of the railway bogie frames requires existence of an expensive laboratory and a long time for testing of about 6 to 10 months. Considering these aspects, the European norms admit that fatigue tests can be replaced by finite elements analysis (FEA), with the condition that analytical model to be correctly realized and validated by tests. Experimental modal analysis (EMA) provides a powerful tool for validation of the FEA model by experimental data. The article presents an application for assessment of the fatigue strength of a three-axle locomotive bogie frame. Using Ansys, was carried out the structural analysis of the bogie frame, resulting the modal model characterized by the modal parameters: Eigen frequencies and Eigen shapes. The analytical model was validated by an EMA application carried out on the bogie frame and correlation analysis of the EMA and FEA models. Using a special measuring wheel set, were determined the wheelrail interaction forces for various locomotive running conditions. The analytical structural model, validated through experimental data, and the data files containing the wheel-rail interaction forces, constitutes the input data for the nCode program that evaluates the bogie frame lifetime using appropriate stress curves and a recognized accumulation of damage hypothesis, e.g. the Palmgren-Miner.

Testing the Effectiveness of the Anti-Bending Bar System to Reduce the Vertical Bending Vibrations of the Railway Vehicle Carbody Using an Experimental Scale Demonstrator

“…In this section is presented the finite element model elaborated for the theoretical substantiation of research results. Models based on the finite element method are frequently applied for the analysis of load-bearing structures of railway vehicles [30][31][32].…”

Experimental Study of Wheel-to-Rail Interaction Using Acceleration Sensors for Continuous Rail Transport Comfort Evaluation

“…The suspension of the wagon is analyzed and optimized using dedicated models [6] and implementing the simulations of track irregularities [7], the modeling of the railway bogie [8]. Some applications can be found in [9], and a complex review of the modeling methods for railway suspension components [10] can be used for the optimization of the bogie frames and suspension, as testing them must be performed after the results of the calculations are validated at safe speeds.…”